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  WHY WE MUST WORK TO STOP YEARLY FIRE OUTBREAK AT BONNY/ NEMBE/ BILLE JETTY - FUBARA Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara  has visited the scene of the Monday fire outbreak at the Bonny/Nembe/Bille Jetty off Creek Road in the Old Port Harcourt Township.  Some of the affected boats were said to have loaded up goods and passengers fully, ready to sail to sea when the fire occurred, trapping a number of persons who are yet to be found. During the visit, governor Fubara described the inferno as unfortunate and expressed sympathy to those who were personally impacted in the inferno that gutted items worth  millions of naira. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo  represented the governor on the visit, leading the high powered delegation to the scene. Governor Fubara  expressed strong determination to working with the operators of the jetty to streamline measures that can be employed in putting to an end such inferno that see...

RESUME WORK ON ELEME SECTION OF EAST-WEST ROAD, FG TELLS CONTRACTOR   The construction firm handling the failed Eleme section of the East-West-Road in Rivers State will resume work immediately as directed by the federal  government.   Mrss Renolds Construction Company RCC, Nigeria Limited was asked to suspend work on the 15 km Eleme to Onne Junction axis of the road. The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi  ordered the suspension when he observed infractions on the construction specifications during an unscheduled inspection visit he made to the project site on January 27, 2024. Now, the firm will be back on site with the new  directive, which was contained in a statement. The Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Uchenna Orji , in the statement said the directive was in accordance with the resolutions reached. the Permanent Secretary and key directors of the Ministry together with the management of RCC Ltd   There had been a meeting ...

  Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has stated that henceforth kidnappers won't be granted bail. Wike told the chairmen of the six Area Councils of the FCT to hold mandatory monthly security meetings to improve the security situation in their respective area councils or be seen as threats to the security of Abuja.. Wike gave the directive during a security town hall at Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), in Abuja on Friday January 26, and asked to be notified if any of the chairmen fails to hold the monthly security meeting. According to Wike, any council chairman that does not hold monthly council security meetings is a threat to the security of the council. He said: “Gone are the days when kidnappers will be granted bail. I will not allow it again. We will ensure that the kidnapper is punished. How will a kidnapper be granted bail?   “Therefore, I will be calling meetings of all traditional leaders, meeting with all council ch...

  Rivers Police kill Notorious Sea Pirate ‘John Togo,’ rescue one-day-old baby from child traffickers    The Operatives of the Rivers State Police have killed a notorious sea pirate, cultist and gunrunner, John Togo, who allegedly terrorised the coastal communities along Bonny-Port Harcourt, waterways. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Olatunji Disu, said the suspect, ‘Togo the Second’ was a member of the dreaded Iceland cult, adding that he reigned terror on residents of the state, sea travellers.  Disu noted that the police operatives in collaboration with the C4i Intelligence Unit and the Borikiri Police Division while acting on credible intelligence had stormed the camp of the criminal gang. He noted that on sighting the police, the group had open fire, adding that the kingpin was brough down on the process. Disu disclosed that before Togo’s death that he operated illegal oil bunkering camps, engaged in arms trafficking, killings and robberies....

EDISON PLEDGES FIRM SUPPORT AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO GOV FUBARA TO ENSURE SUCCESS OF THE ADMINISTRATION Rt. Hon. Ehie Edision has taken his oath of office to assume duties as the new Chief of Staff, Government House in Port Harcourt. He was sworn-in on Monday at the Executive Chambers of Government House, alongside five Special Advisers. Rt. Hon. promised firm support to governor Siminalayi Fubara so that the administration will succeed, fulfilling its promises to Rivers people. He described the appointment as a privilege and expressed delight to have been found worthy to serve as part of the cabinet of Fubara's administration. Rt Hon. Edision vowed to apply due diligence and be purposeful in bringing his wealth of experience to bear on his new responsibility. 

Breaking: Gov. Fubara Swears in Edison Ehie as chief of Staff including other appointments. ...Charges newly sworn-in Chief of Staff, and SAs to promote the image of the government ...Warns against sabotaging his government  Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara says his administration and all contending challenges have been surrendered to God with the confidence that he will continue to intervene in a manner that will shock the world. Sir Fubara remarked shortly after swearing in the Chief of Staff, Government House and five Special Advisers at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday. Those sworn in were Rt Hon. Ehie Edison as Chief of Staff, Government House with Dr Darlington Orji, Solomon Abel Eke, Barr Aminayanasam Fiberesima, Engr. Deeyah Bariene and Ohia Prince as Special Advisers  Governor Fubara said the purpose of governance is to render services even in the face of difficulties and their appointment serves as evidence ...

  Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso withdraw from ECOWAS over suspension .  The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States. The leaders of the three Sahel nations on Sunday issued a statement saying it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the ECOWAS “without delay”. Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020. All three were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.  They have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”  A French military withdrawal from the Sahel — the region along the Sahara desert across Africa — has heightened concerns over the conflicts spreading southward to the Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast. The prime minister appointed ...

  MY PROMOTION COMES FROM GOD FIRST- FUBARA  Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara has acknowledged that because promotion comes from God, his political elevation can only be attributed to him. Governor Fubara spoke at the 2024 Port Harcourt Holy Ghost Rally Church Service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) with the theme : "Promotion for a purpose." The service held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Sunday. Governor Fubara said God promoted him first and later, he stirred the hearts of the leaders and members of his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to become human instrument to make it possible physically. Which was why, governor Fubara noted that they featured him as their governorship candidate and he eventually won in the election. "I was promoted by God first, through my party and the leaders of my party. So, promotion comes from God and God alone. "Let me take the theme of th...

  Same-s£x marriage is strictly prohibited in Nigeria- Police sends a reminder days after video of queer Nigerians talking about their s£xuality went viral  Following recent trend on social media where some individuals who identify as queer were visibly encouraging and associating themselves with activities perceived to be unnatural in light of Nigerian Laws, the Nigeria Police Force has come out to remind Nigerians that same-sex marriage within the country remain illegal.  In a statement released today January 25, the spokesperson of the force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in accordance with the Nigerian Criminal Code Act applicable in Southern States, unnatural offences are prohibited under Sections 214 to 217.  ‘’These sections specifically criminalize acts considered unnatural, such as having carnal knowledge of a person, or permitting a person to have carnal knowledge of one against the order of nature, or having carnal knowledge of an animal, and those fou...

  Rivers State House of Assembly overrides Gov Fubara to pass four new bills into law The Rivers State House of Assembly has voted to override Governor Siminalayi Fubara and pass four new bills into law.Channels TV reports that this happened during plenary on Friday January 26 at the House of Assembly Quarters after the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule read four letters addressed to him by the governor wherein he declined his assent to the four new bills which had been sent to him for assent. The House relying on Section 100 subsection 5 said the assent of the governor is not required for the passage into law of the said bills. The section stated that “where the Governor withholds assent and the bill is again passed by two thirds majority, the bill shall become a law and the assent of the Governor shall not be required”. Speaking further, the Speaker accused the governor of not planning to conduct local government elections in the state, saying “by the reasons given by...

 I SEE YOUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY BUT I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST YOU - FUBARA  The Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara says he sees how heavy the hearts of the newly sworn-in commissioners are but assured them that he has nothing against them. Governor Fubara also urged them to engage in activities that will reckon for good when posterity remembers them many years after. The Rivers State governor gave the advise at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt shortly after swearing in nine (9) commissioners to serve in his administration. These sworn-in persons had, in the wake of the political crisis in the State, resigned their appointment as commissioners  When they did so, they cited several reasons including those of conscience, personal philosophy, and resolved to pursue family or professional careers among others. But they have returned, about five weeks after resigning, to be reabsorbed and to serve in governor Fubara's led administration. Govern...

  NOTHING WILL DISTRACT OUR PURPOSE FOR GOVERNANCE - GOV. FUBARA Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has declared his resolve to remain committed to the purpose for which he was elected and will not allow anything to distract governance. Sir Fubara restated his avowed commitment to governance on Thursday when he addressed newsmen on the heels of the Supreme Court affirmation of his election as the governor of Rivers State. Governor Fubara said his triumph at the Supreme Court has laid to rest the legal battles that added to the distractions his administration grappled with in the last eight months. "About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire State." "It is important for us to note that we need this victory to consolidate the purpose of governance. Prior, we have had a few distractions here and there."  "And the good news that came to us this morning is a refreshing  strength tha...

Prepare your Handover Notes, Bayelsa Governor Diri Tells Cabinet Members  Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has directed members of the state executive council to begin to prepare their handover notes as his first term in office winds down. Governor Diri, who will be sworn-in for another term on February 14, gave the directive on Wednesday during the 126th state executive council meeting inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as asking them to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in their handover notes in order to achieve a smooth transition to his second term. The governor commended his cabinet members for adding value to the state through their performance and thanked them for the selfless service they rendered in the last four years. He noted that the achievements recorded by his administration in its first term was collective and was not an exclusive pr...

The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Siminalayi Fubara as Governor of Rivers State. In the Rivers matter, Partick Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress challenged the election of Governor Fubara on grounds that he wasn’t qualified to run for governor as he was still in the employ of the Rivers State government as Accountant General as at the time of the election.  Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner of the governorship election after he scored 302,614 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Cole, who polled 95,274 votes. Both the Tribunal and Appeal Court had in concurrent judgments dismissed Mr Cole’s case for lacking merit, for failing to provide credible evidence to prove his case of non-qualification, corrupt practices and non-compliance, thus affirming Fubara’s electoral victory. The Supreme Court, also in its judgment Thursday also upheld the decision of the Appellate Court on grounds that the APC ...

FUBARA, BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGREE TO STRENGTHENING INVESTMENT, SECURITY PARTNERSHIPS Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara has started discussions with the British government on issues of strengthening security architecture and attracting increase British investments in the State. Governor Fubara had hosted the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, (Abuja), Mr. Richard Montgomery who was on a visit to the State. The meeting was behind closed door at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. After the meeting, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, (Abuja), Mr. Montgomery spoke to newsmen. He said, "I was actually posted to Nigerian ten years ago and I did come down to Rivers State then. But during my tenure as British High Commissioner, this is my first formal visit.  "I am here to listen and learn. I have come to see a range of stakeholders. I just called on his excellency, the governor. "I am meeting some of the big British business interests here, c...

  We will ban unpainted Taxi's and Buses in the FCT The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration will soon ban unpainted taxis and buses from plying roads in the nation’s capital. Wike, who disclosed this during a media chat in Abuja, explained that the move was to combat the problem of “one chance” in the city. Wike said: “We are not going to allow vehicles that are not painted with FCT colour and registered by the FCTA to ply commercial in the territory. “That way, you know the driver is certified by the FCT and the buses and the taxes were also approved by the FCT. “When this is done, you as the passenger will not take the risk of going to enter any vehicle that you don’t even know,” he said. Wike added that Uber operators would also need to register to operate in Abuja. He also said that the drivers needed to be certified and profiled by the security agencies. “This is a city. If you don’t have rules, there will be pro...

  Rivers Crisis: Rivers elders kick as court shuns suit against Tinubu’s peace pact SOME elders of Rivers State and stakeholders, yesterday, kicked and vowed to go on appeal, as a state High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, struck out a suit challenging the legality of President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation on resolving the political crises in the state for lack of jurisdiction to entertain the matter. A coalition of civil society organisations also threatened to sue Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to stop him from recognising Mr. Martin Amaewhule as Speaker of the House of Assembly, as well as re-presentation of the N800 billion 2024 budget to the Assembly. The suit was filed by 10 sons and daughters of the state, led by His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe, against President Bola Tinubu, Governor Fubara, Martin Amaewhule, Rivers State House of Assembly and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Sara-Igbe and nine others, in the suit, sought constitutional interpretation on whether Preside...